First-time-right rate: definition, example and how to measure it
First-time-right rate is the share of finished work accepted with no changes. Formula, a worked example, a good target, and how to raise it without slowing down.
First-time-right rate is the share of finished work that is accepted with no changes. Formula: tasks accepted first time ÷ tasks delivered × 100. If 30 of 40 tasks needed no changes, the rate is 75%.
In plain words
Every time work comes back, someone does it twice. First-time-right tells you how often that does not happen. It comes from manufacturing, where "right first time" means no part needs to be remade.
An example
| Week | Delivered | Accepted with no changes | First-time-right |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | 26 | 65% |
| 4 | 38 | 29 | 76% |
| 8 | 42 | 35 | 83% |
The team did not work slower. They added done checks to every brief and checked work against them before sending.
What counts as "right"
Decide this up front, or the number means nothing:
- Counts as first time: accepted with no changes, or with tiny fixes like a typo.
- Does not count: anything sent back with a change request.
Keep the rule the same every week.
What is a good rate?
There is no single answer. Many knowledge-work teams start between 50% and 70% when they first measure. Moving up 10 points in a quarter is a strong result. Do not aim for 100%. Some back-and-forth on new work is healthy.
How to raise it
- Write a brief with done checks before work starts.
- Check the work against the brief before sending.
- Review the top three reasons work came back, every month.
Where M-Tracker fits
M-Tracker records whether each delivered task was accepted or sent back for changes, and why, and counts revisions on each project. That gives you the numbers for first-time-right without anyone keeping a spreadsheet. No screenshots and no activity tracking.
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